What kind of competition process surprised people?

Before the start of the third game, there was already an expectation that Popovich might strategically abandon this game.

In fact, after the start of the game, it was discovered that Popovich was doing just that.

However, the difference is that the "way of giving up" taken by Popovich is not the same as the "way of giving up" that everyone speculates!

The starting lineup of the Spurs in the third game: Jin Feng, Aldridge, Gasol, Danny Green, Jonathan Simmons!

Among them, after the whole game, China Jin played a total of 7 minutes, Aldridge played a total of 12 minutes, Gasol played the first quarter, but left the court after the start of the second quarter (according to the explanation given by Popovich after the game, Gasol had hip discomfort in the game and was difficult to hold), Danny Green played 17 minutes.

Of the five starters, Jonathan Simmons played the longest, playing a total of 36 minutes and scoring a team-high 25 points in the Spurs, but it was clear that this was not his limit.

Instead of putting the starters on the bench, as people had speculated before the game, Popovich took another rotational rest, perhaps, because he didn't want the league to grab the handle...

The approach is somewhat bizarre, and even a little "irresponsible" for the fans, but it is undeniable that the Spurs have won the opportunity to breathe.

As Warriors head coach Kerr said after the game, "Sure, we got the third game to win the series and 1-2, which is good news, but, at the same time, we all saw that they [the Spurs] were not going to fight, in other words, it wasn't a fair matchup."

"I understand [Greg Popovich] what he did, but obviously it hurts the game and hurts the people who pay for tickets to see the game, doesn't it? This is clearly not a real matchup."

Although Warriors head coach Kerr did not say it explicitly, he did not save much face for his former "master" Popovich, accusing Popovich of doing something inappropriate, or saying that he would do whatever it took to achieve his goal.

"I don't care what people say, the fact now is what San Antonio has been doing so far this playoffs, we've lost our starting point guard, we've missed two games in a row for some reason, man, it's a very critical Western Conference Finals."

'So, as a manager, I have to take responsibility for my players and I can't joke with the boys' careers'

"Also, competitive sports never give the loser a chance to explain, in other words, you can also understand that this is another battlefield, and the law of war is unscrupulous..."

What people didn't expect was that the head coaches of the two teams had a verbal battle after the third game, which is really rare, after all, people have the impression that Kerr and Popovich have a good personal relationship.

…………

"Haha, Golden State Warriors, back to the home court to play the Warriors played the performance they deserved, they dominated the game in the third game, although we all know that the Spurs chose the strategy to give up the third game, but it cannot be denied that the Warriors who returned to the home court are not to be underestimated, so, in the fourth game, I am still optimistic about the Warriors"

"Warriors, I've said a while ago that for a super team like Golden State, once they're in form, it's hard to beat, and you can think San Antonio stole two games before"

"(⊙o⊙) Wow, that's a tough question to answer, the Warriors are super strong with a big win, and the Spurs, it's hard for me to ignore him, especially if Kawhi might be back in the fourth game."

…………

An hour before the start of Game 4 of the series, outside Oracle Arena, the Warriors' home stadium, Tencent Sports interviewed fans from all over the world and came to a consensus that everyone was optimistic about the Warriors winning Game 4.

Among them, although this is the home court of the Warriors and most of the fans are fans of the Warriors, it can also reflect a certain objective existence.

…………

At the Oracle Arena, players from both sides have arrived and are sitting in the pre-match warm-up session.

"I can be sure that Kowai will play in this game, and there is no problem with his injury"

Behind the scenes, Leonard is sitting and shooting practice, and Popovich, who is being interviewed on the sidelines, looks in a good mood, perhaps because Leonard is coming back!

"Grasp? It's a hard question for me to answer, you know anything can happen in one game, and of course, obviously, we're going to give it our all and honestly, I don't want to stay here one more day, this season, and I don't want to come back here."

"Jin, to this day, he's a very good player, in fact, I think people should be recognizing him, this kid is very hard working and very good, you know, I've always been lucky to be able to coach these great youngsters"

………

When there was less than half an hour before the start of the fourth game, the atmosphere in the entire Oracle Arena had already fallen silent in advance.

Because everybody understands what Game 4 means for this series, and what does it mean for the Warriors in particular?

If they lose at home in the fourth game, then they will really be pushed to the brink.

For the Spurs, Game 4 is just as important, and if they end up losing the game, then the strategic abandonment of Game 3 is meaningless, or the whole big 2-1 lead becomes meaningless.

So, in a way, it's a game for both sides!

Although the Warriors' home fans are confident that the Warriors can win at home against the Spurs, it is clear that the game is not over yet, or even yet, and everything should be a surprise.

…………

Just when the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs and the Warriors were going all out for the fourth game that started immediately, on the other side, that is, the East, the team that reached the Finals was already released 20 minutes ago.

Not much of a surprise, the Cavaliers led by LeBron James swept the Celtics 4-0 with a minimum spend and advanced to the Finals first.

Of course, although the news of the Cavaliers' promotion to the Finals quickly spread throughout the league, not many people cheered for them, even many Cleveland diehards, and there were not many smiles on their faces at this time.

Why?

Because everyone knows in their hearts that even if the Cavaliers break into the Finals, the final championship is likely to have little to do with them, that is, if the Cavaliers want to defend the title successfully, the real test has not yet begun.

Just because, whether it is the Warriors or the Spurs, the strength is stronger than the Cavaliers......